PM’s divisive politics anti-national: Rahul Gandhi

By- Team TOIStrongly attacking the ‘divisive politics’ of Narendra Modi, Congress president Rahul Gandhi said on Wednesday that the Prime Minister is engaging in the biggest anti-national activity that could destroy India. He added that BJP is trying to make the country fight an inside war using ‘divisive politics’. Earlier in the day, Rahul visited Wayanad’s Thirunelli temple, known as the Kashi of south. He performed ‘bali tharpanam’ (ritual to pay homage to souls) for Pulwama martyrs and deceased party workers at Papanashini stream flowing besides the temple. He also offered ‘pithru puja’ to his father and former PM Rajiv Gandhi whose ashes were immersed in the same stream 28 years ago. Wearing a traditional Kerala mundu and melmundu (white cloth covering upper torso), Rahul also paid obeisance to the souls of ancestors of seven generations from his family including grandmother Indira Gandhi. Even as the leader performed the rituals, armed security personnel of Thunderbolt anti-Naxal squad stood guard inside the nearby jungle as Maoist presence has been repeatedly reported from Thirunelli forests. The Congress leader addressed a meeting of party leaders in Kannur later. Interacting with the media, Rahul said nearly 27,000 youths are losing jobs every 24 hours in India. “This is what you call anti-nationalism,” he said. “Our agriculture system has been crippled and thousands of farmers have been forced to commit suicide and this is anti-nationalism. Taking Rs 30,000 crore from the people and giving it to Anil Ambani is anti-nationalism,” he said. Referring to the Rafale scam and the alleged favours given to Ambani, he said the PM should answer why a man who has never built an aircraft in his life, a man who is kept out of jail by his brother, has been given the world’s biggest defence contract. “Is it just because Modi calls him Anil Bhai? Is that the only qualification needed?” he asked. Rahul said the Lok Sabha election is being fought on three issues — destruction of the economy and large-scale unemployment, the agrarian crisis, and corruption. Reiterating his challenge to Modi to face the media, Rahul said the PM should answer why he allowed these anti-national things to happen. “Modi fought the last election highlighting issues related to jobs, corruption and agriculture. Now he should stop making excuses and answer the basic questions,” Rahul said. “Why doesn’t Modi have the guts to face the media? Does he have something to hide? Has he done things that do not allow him to stand the questions?” he asked. Responding to a query on Modi’s recent allegation that Congress is supporting forces that are trying to destroy the country, he said thousands of Congress workers had given lives for India. “We have a history of fighting forces that attack our nation... I don’t see how Modi can question Congress’ nationalism,” he said. Referring to the political violence and murders in the Malabar region, he said all forms of violence are the result of some sort of weakness. Congress believes in non-violence and strength, and the party does not believe in killing its opponents, he said, adding that Congress and its allies would do very well in this election.

Later, he attended a rally at Vandur in Malappuram where he accused BJP of treating south Indians as second-class citizens. Rahul also met Sreedhanya Suresh, Kerala’s first tribal woman to clear Civil Service Exam, and had lunch with her.